Why I Like This: Android Auto

Hi all! Welcome to the latest edition of “Why I Like This”, a blog mini-series I’ll be writing over the weeks and months to come, drawing attention to products I like and why I like them!

The Problem

We bought a car in June 2021 from Cazoo (the subject of a future edition). The only issue since purchasing the car was that the GPS required the following:

• I needed to purchase an SD card, to be used only for the car’s GPS
• I needed to take the SD card into the local dealer, to have them load up the most recent map data.
• I would need to pay £75 for this privilege, and I would need to pay this every year if I wanted to have the most up-to-date map data.

I’d driven for 10 years in Canada, but as this was my first car in the UK I really needed a perfectly functioning GPS. This whole process made me feel very wary about using the built-in system.

The Product That Solved It

Android Auto, a Google app that provides you with many features of Android directly in your car.

Why I Like This

• Incredibly smooth onboarding. The first time I got into the car I plugged my phone into the in-dash USB, and the main console automatically asked me if I wanted to use Android Auto. I tapped Yes, and that was that! Automatically Google Maps was loaded up on the screen, and I could go ahead with using it. No fees. No additional signup. No hardware requirement. It was one tap and I was in.
• It just works. I’ve never had a single issue with Android Auto. Directions have always been accurate. Any time I’ve wanted to play a podcast, or audiobook, or file, or specialist radio, or anything, Android Auto has handled it without a glitch. I’ve had problems with the in-car software before, but never Android Auto.
• I like that it welcomes me home. It’s such a little feature, but as the first two are so broad I’d like to make this one very specific. I like that when I set my location as home, that when I get there it doesn’t say “you have arrived at your destination”, it says “welcome home”. It’s a very small yet satisfying pick-me-up after a long journey.

I have driven from London North past York, and West to Swansea, with no issues. I can’t imagine how difficult I would have found driving in the UK without a GPS, and Android Auto has been an excellent free solution to a very complex problem!